From home office, to desk, to beyond…

Alex Chappell had worked solely for large insurance firms for many years when he began to feel that improvements could be made to the way that clients’ needs were served. Armed with years of experience, a desire to be master of his own destiny and a passion to ensure the client is always put first, he set up Forethought Brokers Ltd in February 2015 with the support of Nwes.

He is immensely proud of the service that Forethought Brokers Ltd offers. “We can honestly claim to be the first firm to offer a real service that combines proven business acumen with commercial insurance abilities, to guide firms to understand their exposures, what they need to consider and where they are not exposed – even when we earn less from our honest advice.”

Alex continues. “We are all about helping firms to grow, and growing with them – our model is engaging with firms for the long term and being fair at all times. It has to be win-win or what is the point?”

Nwes has been a guiding hand and steady support throughout Alex’s journey. He initially took advantage of the Nwes virtual tenancy scheme, Inkub8, during the early months of starting up. The Inkub8 virtual office packages give businesses a flying start. Designed to help project a professional image, Inkub8 and Inkub8+ aim to improve local presence and support businesses through their growth stages. Alex is full of praise for the influence this has had on his growing business. “It has been a valuable service to me.” Alex explains. “It kept the registered business address looking ‘businesslike’, as opposed to people being able to Google search my house, whilst I was home working.”

Alex also attended Nwes business support courses and values the knowledge and expertise that these gave him. Combined with support from Nwes staff, which he says was second-to-none, he then had a springboard to make the leap from a virtual tenancy to a desk in the co-working Nwes office, Norwich’s Rouen House.

Offering tenants a city centre location, optimum flexibility and easy-in, easy-out tenancy terms, Rouen House was perfect for Alex’s needs. “I have looked around a lot of premises over the last 18 months with various providers and Nwes are the only people to offer the right location and service for me.” He says.

Alex’s advice for others thinking about a new business start-up? “Do your homework!” He says. He recommends questioning decisions and facts you have put together to support what you intend to do and asking family and friends for their opinions. “If you have an answer for everything that they ask, then you know your stuff!”

Alex adds. “Cash flow is the key to success so be prepared to take on temporary or shift work to help get your business off the ground.”

Positivity is essential for Alex and he encourages others to have the confidence to turn their business idea into a reality. “You know it will work and it’s with you to sell your knowledge and passion to make it work. Go and get it! ”